Stratford Area Historical Society preservation reflections

May is Historic Preservation Month in Wisconsin. It is a time for celebrating the preservation of historic places that help people understand the past.

The Stratford Area Historical Society, Inc. (SAHS) is a not-for-profit organization that started meeting in 1991. The purpose of SAHS is the sharing of knowledge about the Stratford area through the preservation of our history. Over the years SAHS has completed several preservation projects. Articles that highlight SAHS projects will be available this month.

American Legion Hall

The October 22, 1920 Stratford Journal published an article announcing that Stratford was going to have an American Legion Post. “As is the custom the organization is named in honor of one who made the supreme sacrifi ce and it was voted unanimously to call this the Andrew T. Hekedish Post.”

The January 1, 1932 issue of the Stratford Journal announced that the Andrew Hekedish American Legion Post 307 had completed its clubhouse. The clubhouse was built on the southern end of the village of Stratford Park (currently Klemme Park). “It is designed to represent a log cabin. A portion of the site was secured by a grant from the Stratford Village Board and the remainder by lease from the C. & N. W. Railway.”

Nine post members, assisted by other World War I veterans of the community, built the structure in 1932. Officers elected in that year were William Popp, commander; Ernest Pasche, adjutant; Charles Raugh, service officer; Frank Lillge, chaplain; Joseph Brei, sergeant at arms; Dr. H. E. Wicker, vice commander, Albert Riehle, finance officer, as reported in a 1932 issue of the Stratford Journal.

After World War II the name of the American Legion Post was updated to include the name of an area service man that made the supreme sacrifice in World War II, Henry Kremin. The name of the post is, Hekedish & Kremin American Legion Post 307.

In 1991 The American Legion donated the Legion Hall to the village of Stratford. The donation specified that the village utilize the building as a historical museum. The Stratford Museum became one of the first projects of SAHS, Inc. The Historical Society formed around the purpose of developing the museum and preserve the history of the Stratford area. The Stratford Area Historical Society, Inc. leases the building from the Village of Stratford for use as a space to present exhibits.

Project Continues

The chimney and stove were removed from the American Legion Cabin several years ago, as a result the building does not have a heating source. The museum is open for exhibits during the warmer months of the year. SAHS maintains the interior of the Stratford museum. SAHS is in need of museum quality exhibit supplies in order to display historical artifacts, as well as interior work, such as floor refi nishing and cabinetry repair inside the museum. SAHS does not receive funding from the Village of Stratford for the museum. SAHS fundraises in order to maintain the interior of the building and furnish the museum. SAHS members volunteer their time to operate the museum.

SAHS is a not for profit organization. A SAHS Building and Archive Preservation GoFundMe page is available for donations in support of restoration and Museum projects. SAHS appreciates your support. https://www. gofundme.com/f/sahs-building-andarchive- preservation. Contact SAHS for information on the restoration project or to join the SAHS: Email: stratfordareahistoricalsociety@ gmail.com Phone: 715-391-9494. SAHS looks forward to sharing more information on Stratford area preservation projects.